Celebrating Southern Oregon Magazine’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards

Best of the Best

Celebrating Southern Oregon Magazine’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards

Photography by Ezra Marcos

Our main mission here at Southern Oregon Magazine is to educate and illuminate as much of the good stuff as possible. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place with great people, doing amazing things, offering us so many options, that it’s hard to cover it all. That being said, we always like to hear from you! What are your favorites? Who should we be celebrating? So thanks for voting! For those who didn’t vote, you missed weighing in on a totally non-biased, fill-in-the-blank poll that covers a plethora of topics. This year we’ve added a few new categories but still have some oldies and goodies.

So without further delay, let’s celebrate the winners. This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards go to…

BEST PLACE FOR A CUP OF COFFEE

Dutch Bros

With Dutch Bros, it isn’t just the convenience with plentiful locations, but its the stellar customer service, making every visit and every delicious cup a highlight of your day.

www.dutchbros.com

BEST BREAKFAST

Over Easy

Not new to the Brunch Scene, but new to the five-day-a-week breakfast, lunch, (and now Friday night dinners), Over Easy was the first consistent “pop up” brunch in the Valley. Staying true to a weekly changing menu of only five breakfast choices, (four savory, one sweet, no substitutions), and adding a couple of ever changing lunch options, Braden and Stephanie Hitt have created quite a following, drawing a welcome crowd of people to downtown Medford every weekend. When their previous location was sold and repurposed, they dove in and built their own. Lucky for us they are now open Wednesday through Sunday, for breakfast and lunch. Specialty cocktails and wine drinks available

Lunch can be a tricky meal of the day, a break we look forward to, but often tends to be a rushed experience, so it’s nice to know there’s a place that does good food fast—Jaspers, voted Best Lunch Spot is known for its wide variety of freshly made, hand pressed, super creative burgers, fries, salads, and shakes. Customer service comes second only to the quality of ingredients. Dine in or takeout. Beer and wine available.

2739 N Pacific Hwy, Medford

www.jasperscafe.com

BEST CHEAP EATSIn-N-Out Burger

1970 Crater Lake Hwy, Medford

124 NE Morgan Lane, Grants Pass

www.in-n-out.com

BEST STREET VENDOR/FOOD CART

Curbside King

Find them weekdays at 325 S. Riverside Ave, Medford, evenings and weekends at various locations. Check FB for up to date info.

325 S Riverside Ave, Medford

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

BEST MARGARITA

El Molcajete Mexican Grill

Enjoy the Best Mexican Food and Best Margaritas at either location.

1789 W Stewart Ave., Medford

960 N Phoenix Rd, Medford

www.elmolcajetemexicangrill.com

BEST MEDFORD RESTAURANT

BEST ASIAN FOOD

Bambu

It’s no surprise that the Best Medford Restaurant also has the Best Asian Food. Bambu is known for its Asian inspired cuisine featuring flavors from Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Hawaii, and the Philippines. Always fresh and bright with the perfect match of texture, heat, and taste.

970 N Phoenix Road, Medford

www.tigerroll.com

BEST PHO/RAMEN

Tosu Ramen and Sushi

Considering the good number of Pho and Ramen choices in the area, we wholeheartedly welcome and endorse this fun new category, Best Pho/Ramen. Tosu Ramen and Sushi received the most votes. Authentic and fresh, super spicy or not. Go see why our readers highly recommended Tosu.

213 E Barnett Rd, Medford

BEST SUSHI

Misoya Bistro

Another heated race (or should we say, uncooked race?) was for the Best Sushi. This year, Misoya Bistro in Medford took home the honor.

235 Theater Ally, Medford

www.misoya-bistro.com

BEST ITALIANRosarios Italian Kitchen

2221 W Main St, Medford

www.rosariositalianrestaurant.com

BEST PIZZA

BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT

Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub

Something young and old can appreciate, amazing pizza with crunchy crust and creative toppings, fresh salads and sides. A Medford staple, Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub has been voted Best Pizza every year since we’ve been polling. So congrats!

3084 Crater Lake Hwy, Medford

www.kaleidoscopepizza.com

BEST BBQ

Back Porch Bar and Grill

605 N 5th St, Jacksonville

www.backporchjacksonville.com

BEST ASHLAND RESTAURANT

Smithfields Restaurant and Bar

36 S 2nd St, Ashland

www.smithfieldsashland.com

BEST FINE DINING

BEST STEAK

BEST HAPPY HOUR

Porters Dining at the Depot

147 N Front St, Medford

www.porterstrainstation.com

BEST OUTDOOR PATIO DINING

BEST JACKSONVILLE RESTAURANT

Bella Union Restaurant and Saloon

170 W California St, Jacksonville

www.bellau.com

BEST DESSERT

BEST INN OR BED AND BREAKFAST

Jacksonville Inn and Dinner house

175 E California St, Jacksonville

www.jacksonvilleinn.com

BEST HOTEL DININGLarks Kitchen & Cocktails

Larks Restaurant & Lounge Inn at the Commons

www.ashlandspringshotel.com

www.innatthecommons.com

BEST LATE NIGHT MUNCHIES

BEST CENTRAL POINT RESTAURANT

BEST RESTAURANT SERVICE

The Point Pub and Grill

311 E Pine St, Central Point

1345 Center Dr, Medford

www.lovemypoint.com

BEST PLACE FOR A COCKTAIL

Jefferson Spirits

404 E Main St, Medford

www.jeffersonspirits.com

BEST GRANTS PASS RESTAURANT

BEST PLACE FOR A GLASS OF WINE

The Twisted Cork

210 SW 6th St, Grants Pass

www.thetwistedcorkgrantspass.com

BEST WINERY

BEST GLASS OF RED WINE

Del Rio Winery

Known as a local favorite for their fantastic hospitality, hugely popular wine selection, and amazing staff, it’s always a great time in the tasting room or anywhere on the shaded grounds.

Del Rio Vineyards and Winery

52 N River Rd, Gold Hill

www.delriovineyards.com

BEST GLASS OF WHITE WINERoxyAnn Winery

3283 Hillcrest Rd, Medford

www.roxyann.com

BEST BREWERY

BEST SMALL BUSINESS (under 50 employees)

Walkabout Brewing

The Best Brewery and Best Small Business has one goal: “To make beers that they love and share them with others, seeing beer as a medium for making connections with others.” At their Medford brewpub, they “strive to make everybody feel welcome and work hard to give back to the community that has given them this opportunity.” You can also find Walkabout beer at lots of locations where beer is sold.

921 Mason Way, Medford

www.walkaboutbrewing.com

BEST LOCAL MUSICAL ACT

The Brothers Reed

From the very first time we added the Best Local Music Act to the poll, Brothers Reed have been strumming and singing their way into our collective hearts for four years running. They always pack a house at local venues and have started taking their act on the road with tours across the country, making more fans wherever they play. Congrats Aaron and Phillip Reed—our readers know what’s good!

www.thebrothersreed.com

MOST POPULAR RADIO PERSONALITY

DJ Gemineye

Perennial favorite DJ Gemineye can be heard weekday mornings on 107.5 Kiss FM and on weekends on 104.7 KDUK, Eugene. Gemineye keeps the show going with the humor and flair of a personality that loves what he does. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram to see when you can catch him on air or in person at events around the state.

MOST POPULAR TV PERSONALITY

Trish Glose

KTLV news anchor, producer, writer, and podcaster, Trish Glose, has what it takes to be voted Most Popular TV Personality for six years running! You can also catch her emceeing at the Oregon Wine Experience, which was voted BEST FUNDRAISING EVENT.

www.ktvl.com

BEST FUNDRAISING EVENTOregon Wine Experience

www.theoregonwineexperience.com

BEST LOCAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Medford BMW Southern Oregon Classic

www.southernoregonclassic.com

BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY/TEAM

Doug Morse Group at John L. Scott Real Estate

It’s no wonder that the top performing real estate team in Southern Oregon was voted Best Real Estate Company. With a mission of providing the “best and most professional customer service” for the past 30 years, Doug has been awarded the Best of the Best, REAL TRENDS Top 1 percent in the Wall Street Journal, Top 100 Most Influential Realtors, the John L Scott Top 1 percent award and the STAR award, among others.